ATHLETE OF THE WEEK : Nealon Shrugs Off Batters--and Himself

When Poly High's Greg Nealon was asked what he thought of his performance after throwing a three-hit, 4-0 victory over Sylmar last week, the junior left-hander shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"That was one of the better games I've pitched," Nealon said matter-of-factly.

Better games? Come on, how much better is there?

Nealon's shutout of the Spartans--then ranked No. 2 in The Times Valley poll--wasn't even his best performance of the month . In the team's final preseason tuneup against Chatsworth two weeks earlier, Nealon threw a no-hitter.

Because scrimmages don't count in the standings, Nealon's statistics didn't reflect the no-hitter. He has since reeled off 16 consecutive scoreless innings and compiled a 3-0 record. Over the span, Nealon has allowed 6 hits and struck out 10 while walking 3.

His earned-run average? Still holding at 0.00.

"He's not overpowering, he's the kind of pitcher that keeps the defense in the game and doesn't hurt himself with mistakes," Poly Coach Jerry Cord said. "I think he's as good as anybody in the area."